Medicine Free Life

Recently, I attended a seminar organised by Dr Pravin Chordia - a formally qualified medical doctor titled "Medicine Free Life". The whole experience was an eye-opener. In this course, Dr Choridia explained how our lives have become more artificial than ever before - leading to unhealthy practices (processed food, and sedentary habits) - resulting in life-threatening diseases. The impact of this course does not emanate from its conclusions (might appear trivial to some), but from the scientific explanations, anchored around simple and hard-hitting metaphors. This note is an attempt to enumerate these findings and the corresponding scientific explanations in simple terms as was described by Dr Pravin Chordia. Before you read on, a word of disclaimer - any distortions that you might notice in the explanation is solely attributed to me, as I do not have the right technical background to deal with this subject. Through this note, I am just trying to enumerate the findings as I understood it during the course.

Pure Water Is Bad

This was a shocker. But why? As the water supplied by the municipality is disinfected using a substance called "chlorine". This substance makes the water acidic. Consuming this acidic water disturbs the overall PH of the human body (normal PH of the human body is 7.4). To restore the overall PH, the body starts to extract minerals from bones and other tissues - leading to its weakening. Acidic water also contains "free radicles" which is a potential source of various life-threatening decreases. Also, water is an important source of various minerals for the proper functioning of the body. These minerals get removed from the water when we process it using RO (Reverse Osmosis), thereby lowering the TDS (Total Dissolved Solids). Hence, water disinfected using chlorine and process through RO (deprived of minerals) is acidic and therefore not good for consumption. Before drinking one needs increase its alkalinity by passing the water through a process of electrolysis. This method aggregates all the negative ions dissolved in the water around the positive electrode. If the water near the positive electrode is separated then the other portion (around the negative electrode) will be rich in positive ions, thereby making the water suitable for drinking.

White Sugar Is Bad

We all know that our body needs "energy" to function. This "energy" can be obtained from by burning "sugar" or "fat". Though "sugar" burns at a much faster rate than "fat", but is highly damaging to the body, as act as a strong oxidant. Hence, regular consumptions of it in large amounts damage the liver and the whole body at large. It also leads to a situation called "insulin resistance", when the regular function of insulin is disturbed (insulin helps in regulating the level of sugar in the blood). Suger also prevents the body from burning fat (preventing weight loss). Fat burns smoothly compared to sugar and do not damage the liver. Hence, intake of white sugar in any form should be avoided and replaced with high-quality fat rich unprocessed food, like ghee, unrefined oil etc. Consuming such food in moderate quantity will reduce the urge of eating frequently - a feeling triggered by the lowering of sugar level in the blood by the regulating insulin, that too within a couple of hours of the meal. Fat-based diet dissipates the energy more smoothly, thereby preventing such sensation.

Excessive Salt Is Bad

The cells in our body maintain a delicate balance of Sodium and Potassium concentration between inside and outside its walls. To maintain this balance, the body regulates it through an action which simulates a working of a pump. This pump consumes around 20 to 40% of the resting energy of a typical adult. Hence, excessive consumption of salt deprives other vital organs of the much-needed energy which gets consumed in driving the Na-K pump - crucial for our survival. Hence, white salt in all form should be avoided.

Processed Food Is Bad

Food while being processed gets deprived of nutrients - the key to our healthy living. Lack of nutrients in the food makes our body acidic, which decreases our immunity to fight decreases. Hence, as much as possible food should be taken in raw form (uncooked or lightly cooked).

Excessive Stress is Bad

When the mind is in stress the body secretes hormones which steer the energy from our immune system in fighting stress. A decreased immune system is an invitation to virus and bacteria to attack us to spread diseases. One might have experienced this in practice when virus causing common cold becomes more active when the mind is in stress compared to when it is not. Hence, one has to manage his expectation to prevent him from excessive stress.

Lack of Excercise is Bad

Failing to exercise our organs regularly diminishes their capability, as the body transfers energy to only those being used. This makes the body weak. Hence, exercising regularly is extremely important for a healthy and happy life.

Lack of SunLight is Bad

Exposure to sunshine increases the vitality of the body, thereby increasing the efficiency of its function. It is not just about "Vitamin D". It impacts various other functions of the body which is difficult to quantify. Hence, one needs to get himself exposed to Sunlight for at least couple of hours in a day.

In nutshell, the ANSWER to an great health is proper Air, Nutrients, Sunlight, Water, Exercise, & Rest. I will strongly encourage you all to try this course, it is a great experience for a "Medicine Free Life". Thank you.